Inside control hood latch



27, i941, R. HxLL 2%393 INSIDE CONTROL HOOD LATCH Original Filed Feb. 17, 1939 V 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 nV- n May 27, i941.. R. HILL INSIDE CONTROL HOOD LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 1'7, 1959 Patented May 27, 194i ,UNITEDvl STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.24am msnm connor. noon LA'rcn Rowland Hill, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Chicago Forging .t Manufacturing Company. Chicago Ill., acorporation oi Illinois Original application February 17, 1939, Serial No. 256,965. Divided and this application August 4, 1939, SerialNo. 288,264

9 Claims. (Cl. 292-340) My invention relates to an improvement in latches and has for one purpose the provision of an improved latch for the closure of an automobile hood.

Another purpose is the provision lof a latch/ assembly which shall be compact, easy to manufacture, and emcient in use.

Another purpose is the provision of means unitarily applicable to an automobile hood and hood closure having primary latching means, secondary safetylatching means, and means for lifting the hood closure a predetermined distance in response to release of the primary latching means and prior to the release of the secondary safety latching means.`

Another purpose is the provision of remote control latch means in which a latch, normally spring thrust into latching position, may move out of latching position to permit the keeper to vdrop into closed position, without affecting the Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;-

and

Fig.- 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. This is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 256,965, filed February 17, 1939, 11133] Letters Patent No. 2,209,886, dated July 30, Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

- Referring to the drawings, and for example to Fig. 1 and following,'| generally indicates an automobile hood and# a closure therefor, transversely and horizontally hinged at its rear end as at 3. It will be understood, however, that the hingeshown is diagrammatic and that any suitable mounting for the rear end of the closure 2 may be employed. 4 generally indicates the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Mounted on the hood I is a member which I may call a bottom plate, generally indicated at or keeper 29 which may for example be formed i and shown in some detail for example in Fig. 5. f It isillustrated as having a transversely elongat' ed aperture 1 surrounded by a downwardly latching position.

turned ilange 3. The plate 6 may 'be mounted in any suitable fashion upon the hood I. I illustrate for example flanges 9 at each side of the hood I to which the plate 6 may be secured by lbolts I0 or by any other suitable securing means.

Any suitable adjusting slots may be provided on the plate 6, as shown for example at II. in

Fig. 5. Preferably the plate 6 is mounted for,

lateral adjustment, the slots II being laterally Vor transversely `elongated, whereby the aperture 'I may be aligned with the latching means below described. I2 indicates any suitable securing lip provided with a downwardly turned flange I3 adapted to receive the secondary or safety latch?" ing member below described. 'I'he flange I3, it-

will be understood, may extend entirely around or substantially around the plate 6.

Mounted on the lower side of the plate 6 I illustrate a latchy member I4 shown as formed of sheet metal and mounted onor forming part of a lever I5 pivoted as at I6 for rotation about a vertical pivot and urged by a spring I1 toward I3 is any suitable retaining member for the lever I5 which may be'secured to the bottomNof the plate 6. I9 is a downwardly,

hicle, in a position convenient to the drivers seat.

22 indicates a transversely extending plate mounted on the hood closure 2, for example upon intermediate brackets 23 secured upon the inturned lower edges or flanges 24' of the hood closure 2. It -will be understood, of course, that any suitable securing and supporting means may be'employed. I illustrate the member 22 as mounted for longitudinal adjustment and for that purpose I provide adjusting slots 25 throughwhich pass any suitable securing bolts 26 whereby the member 22 is secured upon the upper inner Vanges of the brackets 23. I'he transversely extending member 22 is upwardly offset as at 'hwhich oifset may serve as a reinforcing means and is not in general essential. It is also provided with a circumferential reinforcing flange 28, shown as upwardly extending.

Mounted on the upwardly offset central portion`2'l is 'a combined centering and locking yoke 'of rod stock and which has curved or beveled` corners 30. 'Ihe upper ends of each arm may be screw-threaded as at 3| to receive adjusting Y spring yoke 33 in which is positioned a coll Vcompression spring 34 through which passes the pin 35, the end of which extends upwardly through the aperture 38 in the upper end of the yoke or guide 33. To the lower end oi the pin 35 is secured a plate 31 and a washer 3B which serves as a lower abutment for the spring 34. The plate 31 is slotted as at 39 to permit the passage therethrough of the arms of the yoke 23 and is of sufficient size to abut normally against portions of the upper face of the transversely extending lower plate 6, as shown for example in Fig. 4.

Any suitable pads or cushioning members of rubber or the like, as shown at'40, may be employed for cushioning the contact between the opposed portions oi the hood I andthe hood closure 2. l

I provide a secondary or safety latching means which includes a lever or hook 4I with a latching or hook portion proper 42. The hook member is pivoted as at 43 between ears 44 which may be downwardly struck from the upper transverse plate 22. Any suitable means may be employed for urging the hook 42 normally into vertical alignment with the securing lip I2. I illustrate .for example a coil spring 45. The hook is provided also with a nger or handle piece u46, preferably formed integrally therewith, the purpose of which will later appear.

It will be realized that whereas I have. described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made inthe size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limitj ing me to my precise showing.

'I'he use and operation of my invention are as follows:

Referring to the drawings, I provide a compact unitary structurefor carrying a lock oir latch which holds the closure 2 in -iinal locked position, an additional latch 4i which permits a limited upward movement of the closure 2, and a spring 34 which, through the pin 35 and the plate 31, tends yieldingly to lift the closure 2 to the upward limit of movement permitted by the hook portion B2 of the latch dI. Normally it need not raise the closure to the full limit of the latch 4|, but if the closure 2 happens to be blown open to release position and lifts the ciosure 2 to ahi? desired height. It will be understood that any suitable means may be. employed, not herein shown, for holding the closure 2 in upward position when it once has been liited.

In the operation of the device, the yoke 23 serves-the unitary purpose of guiding the closure 2 into proper position in relation to the hood I. For initial adjustment, the plate B may be laterally adjusted and the plate 22 may be longitudinally adjusted. The rounded corners Il of the yoke 29 serve as centering means ior centering the hood 2 in proper position when it is 'downwardly moved. There is a very slight transverse clearance between the yoke 2l and the inasubstantial longitudinal clearance to/permit tilting.

The lowerend of the yoke 29v further serves as a keeper to receive the bottom face I4b of the member it. In practise it can be straight but a slight inclination may be helpful. The inclined faces I4a permit the yoke 23 to override the latch I4 against the action of the spring II. As scones the yoke clears the bottom of the latch It, the springI'I is effective to move it into the latchingposition.

-Normally the closure y2 is thus iirmly locked. There is always, however, apossibility that the operatory may not'move the closure down quite far enough to obtain a complete locking effect. In "this event, the latch hook 42 is edective since the spring 45 keeps itat al1 times in vertical alignment with that portion of the iiange I3 which extends along the locking lip I2 of the plate 6. Thus,v even if the hood closure 2 is lifted by the wind caused by movement of the car, it can only be lifted through an arc sumcient to .cause the hook 42 to 'engage the flange I3 and further unintended upward movement' of the hood closure 2 is thus prevented. l

I claim:

l. In locking means for an automobile hood having hingedly connected members with latchpart mounting members on the respective hood y members, one of said mounting members being during the movement of the car, the hook 42 positively limits the upward movement of the closure 2.

The main latch I4 cannot be actuated from the exterior of the lhood except by the actuation of closure 2 a distance which cannot exceed the full length of the hook 4I, 42, Ibut which in practice will'be only a fraction of the possible lift.

vertically superposed over the other when the hood is in closed position, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on and vertically adjustable inrelation to one of said mounting members, the other mounting member being lapertured' to receive said keeper in guidingY relav tionship, and a thrust member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and yielding means adapt ed to urge said thrust member against said opposite latch-part mounting member whereby,

when the keeper is released, the thrust member is adapted to lift the upper hinged member, said centering member and keeper including a generally U-shaped loop having two generally parallel stems, said thrust member being slidably mounted on both of said 'stems and being apertured to permit the passage of said stems there- However, this lift is in practise sufficient to permit the operator to insert his ingers under the forward end ofthe hood closure 2 in order to complete the lifting ot the closure.

The member. is conveniently located and is conveniently shaped to receive the hand or nngers of the operator so that the operator, by a single unitary upward lift, moves the hook 62 through.

2. In locking meansv for an automobile hood having hingedly connected members with latchpart mounting members on the respective hood members, one of said mounting members being vertically superposed over the other when the hood is in closed position, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on and vertically adjustable in relation to one of said mounting members, the other mounting member being apertured to receive said keeper in guiding relationship, and a thrust member mounted on and guided said keeper. and yielding means vadapted to urge said thrust member against said opposite'latch-part mounting member whereby, when the keeper is. released, the thrust member is adapted 'to lift the upper hinged member.' said centering member and keeper including a generally Ui-shaped loop hav- .ing two generally parallel stems, said thrust member being slidably mounted on both of said stems and being apertured to permit the passage of said stems` therethrough, the yielding means including a coil spiingrcompressed between said thrust member and the latch-part mounting member on which the centering member and keeper is mounted. a

3. In locking means for an automobile hood having hingedly connected members with latchpart mountingv members lon therpective hood A members, one of 'said mounting members beingl vertically superposed overl the other when the hood is in -closed position, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on and vertically adjustable in relation to one of said mounting members, the other mounting member being apertured to receive said keeper in guiding relationship, and a thrust member mounted on and guided lby said keeper, and yielding means adapted to urge said thrust member against said op- 1 posite latch-part mounting l:member whereby,

when the keeper is released. .the thrust member having hingedly connected members with latchpart mounting members on the respective hood members, one o! said mounting members being vertically superposed over the other when the hood is in closed position, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on and vertically adjustable in relation to one of said mounting members, the other mounting member ybeing apertured to receive said keeper in guiding relationship, athrust member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and yielding means `adapted to urge said`thrust member against said /opposite latch-part mounting member wherei stems.

is adapted to lift the upper hinged member, said centering member and keeper including a generally U-shaped loop having two generally parallel stems. said thrust member being slidably mounted on both of said stems and being apertured to permit the passage of said stems therethrough, the yielding means including a coil spring compressed betweensaid thrust member and the latch-part mounting member on which the centering member and keeper is mounted, and an abutment member for said spring including a lrecessed oiset `portion into which said spring penetrates.

4. ,In locking means for an automobile hood having hingedlyconnected members with latchpart mounting members on the respective hood members, one of said mounting members being vertically superposed over the other when the 6. In a locking means for an automobile hood including hinge'dly connected hood members and having a latch on one such member and a keeper.v

on theother, and a pair of latch-part mounting members, one mounted on one of said hinged members and the other on the other, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on one of the members and having a bolt receiving portion, the other oi' said members having an aperture to receive said keeper when the hood members are in closed position, the latch being mounted on the apertured mounting member and adjacent the aperture and including a portion hood is in closed position, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on 'and vertically adjustable in relation tov one of said mounting members,V the other mounting member being apertured to receive said keeper in guiding relationship, a thrust member mounted on and guided by said keeper, yielding means' adapted to keeper is released, the thrust member is adapted tolliit the upper hinged member, said centering member and keeper including a generally U- x shaped loop having two generally parallel stems,

said thrust member being slidably mounted on both of said stems and being apertured to per- .mit the passage of said stems therethrough, the

yielding means including a coil spring compressed between said thrust member and the urge, said thrust member against said opposite latch-part mounting member whereby,.when the adapted for latching engagement with the keeper,

the combined centering member and keeper being mounted for ready vertical adjustment, a thrust member including a disk-like member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and yielding means adapted to urge said thrust member against the opposite mounting member whereby, when the keeper is released, the thrust member,

vthrough its contact with the mounting member,

is adapted to lift the upper hinged member, said yielding means including a spring coniining said thrust member between the mounting members and causing said thrust member to move toward the bolt receiving portion of the keeper to a point proximate thereto when the hinged member is released.

7. In a locking means for an automobile hood including hingedly connected hood members and having a latch on one such member and a keeper on the other, and a pair of latch-part mounting members, one mounted on one of said hinged members and the other on the other, a combined centering'member and keeperA mounted on one oi the members and having a bolt receiving portion, the other of said members having an aperture to receive said keeper when the hood members are in closed position, the latch being mounted on the apertured mounting member and adjacent the aperture and including a portion adapted for latching engagement with the keeper, the combined centering member and keeper being mounted for ready vertical adjustment, a thrust member including a disk-like member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and yielding means adapted to urge said thrust member against the opposite mounting member, whereby, when the e keeper lie-released, the einen member. through its contact with the mounting member, is adapted to vun the upper hinged menriberv said yielding means including'a spring coniining saidthrust member between the mounting members, and causing said thrust member to move toward the bolt 4receiving portion of the keeper 'to' a point proximate thereto when the hinged member is released. said centering member and keeper inyeluding a stem secured to-said mounting member,

said thrust member being slidably mounted upon and guided by said stem and being apertured to permit the passage of the stem therethrough.

n a locking'means for-an automobile hood including hingedly connected hood members and y having a latch on one such member anda keeperv on the other, and a pair of latch-part mounting members, one mounted on one of said hinged members and the other on the other, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on one of the members, and having a bolt receiving portion. thevotherof said members having an aperture to receive said keeper when the hood members are in closed position, the latch being mounted on the apertured mounting member and adjacent. the aperture and including a portion adapted for latchlng engagement with the keeper, the combined centering member andkeeper being mounted for, ready vertical adjustment, a thrust member including a diskflike member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and yielding means adapted to urge said thrust member against the opposite mounting member whereby, when the keeper is released, the thrust member, throughits contact with the mounting member, is adapted to lift the upper hinged -member, said yielding meansrincluding a spring confining said thrust member between 'the mounting members and causing said thrust member to move toward the bolt receiving portion ot the keeper to a point proximate thereto when the hinged member is released, said centering member and keeper including a stem secured to said mounting member, said thrust memberbe the hood is closed and being spaced verticallyapart, a combined centering member and keeper mounted on one of the mounting members and having a bolt receiving portion, the other of said members having an aperture to receive said keeper when the hood members are -in closed position. the latchubeing mounted on the apertured mounting member and adjacent the aperture and including a portion adapted -fo'r latching engagement with the keeper, a thrust member mounted on and guided by said keeper, and

yielding means adapted to urge said thrust member against the opposite -mounting member, whereby, whenv the keeper is released, the thrust member, through its contact with the' mounting member, is adapted to lift the upper hinged member, said yielding means including a spring extending between said mounting members when the hood is closed.

. ROWLAND HILL. 

